Daybreak:Volume 3 Chapter 10 - Revision history

Aorii at 05:43, 27 January 2022

2022-01-27T05:43:33Z

Aorii at 17:07, 4 October 2021

2021-10-04T17:07:58Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:07, 4 October 2021
Line 61:		Line 61:
	"They're poisoning the land..."		"They're poisoning the land..."

	"Yes Sir," the Major confirmed. "I've sent my men to double check other water sources in our locale. They have already discovered three other springs, seven wells, and one stream nearby to also be contaminated by the enemy. In three cases, the contagions were well camouflaged, and may have been left there as long as ~~four~~ days ago when we fought the Lotharins in battle."		"Yes Sir," the Major confirmed. "I've sent my men to double check other water sources in our locale. They have already discovered three other springs, seven wells, and one stream nearby to also be contaminated by the enemy. In three cases, the contagions were well camouflaged, and may have been left there as long as five days ago when we fought the Lotharins in battle."

	"It certainly explains our sudden influx of disease, and these are probably just the tip of the iceberg." The marid Hakim nodded in contemplation. "The abundance of fresh, running water in these lands has made our officers lax in cleansing what they consume. Perhaps even more importantly -- this shows that our opponent has changed commanders."		"It certainly explains our sudden influx of disease, and these are probably just the tip of the iceberg." The marid Hakim nodded in contemplation. "The abundance of fresh, running water in these lands has made our officers lax in cleansing what they consume. Perhaps even more importantly -- this shows that our opponent has changed commanders."
Line 315:		Line 315:
	The door to the command cabin opened and closed. But Pascal was too busy to see who it was.		The door to the command cabin opened and closed. But Pascal was too busy to see who it was.

	"I am only carrying out reorganization orders from Princess Sylviane." He pulled out the stack of papers from his extradimensional pocket and shook it in his hands. His eyes then glared between several other nobles who spoke out. "I informed each of you about this ~~two~~ days ago. You agreed then!"		"I am only carrying out reorganization orders from Princess Sylviane." He pulled out the stack of papers from his extradimensional pocket and shook it in his hands. His eyes then glared between several other nobles who spoke out. "I informed each of you about this three days ago. You agreed then!"

	"Only because you browbeat them into it with those so-called 'orders' from Her Highness!" Albert spat. "And you certainly didn't consult me!"		"Only because you browbeat them into it with those so-called 'orders' from Her Highness!" Albert spat. "And you certainly didn't consult me!"

Aorii at 02:55, 8 August 2021

2021-08-08T02:55:58Z

Show changes

Aorii: REDUX STARTS, FULL CLEAR

2021-08-08T02:55:51Z

REDUX STARTS, FULL CLEAR

Show changes

Aorii at 14:02, 6 April 2017

2017-04-06T14:02:43Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:02, 6 April 2017
Line 209:		Line 209:
	They were partially right. One of the kittens was a true stray, who stayed with the army thanks to the food that sympathetic soldiers would toss her way. However, the other had been carefully disguised with dirt and dyes, as well as intricately woven wards that concealed her magical aura as a familiar.		They were partially right. One of the kittens was a true stray, who stayed with the army thanks to the food that sympathetic soldiers would toss her way. However, the other had been carefully disguised with dirt and dyes, as well as intricately woven wards that concealed her magical aura as a familiar.

	The playtime was but a pretense, as she kept a keen eye and two ears on the Cataliyans' conversation at all times. Both sensory feedback relayed straight to her master -- prone and hidden among fallen leaves in a dense patch of trees nearly ~~four~~ kilopaces away.		The playtime was but a pretense, as she kept a keen eye and two ears on the Cataliyans' conversation at all times. Both sensory feedback relayed straight to her master -- prone and hidden among fallen leaves in a dense patch of trees nearly three kilopaces away.

	''So a new challenger appears,'' Cecylia Renata von Falkenhausen mused to herself as she stroked the largest body of her matryoshka cat. ''...And naval reinforcements are on their way.''		''So a new challenger appears,'' Cecylia Renata von Falkenhausen mused to herself as she stroked the largest body of her matryoshka cat. ''...And naval reinforcements are on their way.''
Line 347:		Line 347:
	"Milord, please," Major Hans tried to intercede on Pascal's behalf. "After our heavy losses from the last battle, it is only natural that we disband the units that suffered the worst casualties and use their manpower to replenish other formations..."		"Milord, please," Major Hans tried to intercede on Pascal's behalf. "After our heavy losses from the last battle, it is only natural that we disband the units that suffered the worst casualties and use their manpower to replenish other formations..."

	"Shut up, you ~~commoner~~," the Count sent him another glare. "I don't care how it is in Weichsel, but you have no right to speak here!"		"Shut up, you pleb," the Count sent him another glare. "I don't care how it is in Weichsel, but you have no right to speak here!"

	Major Hans' face went red in an instant. But he nevertheless bit back his tongue, clearly realizing that anything he said would only make the situation worse.		Major Hans' face went red in an instant. But he nevertheless bit back his tongue, clearly realizing that anything he said would only make the situation worse.
Line 367:		Line 367:
	With his tone slowly rising, the Colonel's explanation soon escalated into a shout as he stared down each and every one of the disgruntled Lotharins.		With his tone slowly rising, the Colonel's explanation soon escalated into a shout as he stared down each and every one of the disgruntled Lotharins.

	"Yet here you are... ~~babbling~~ away over who gets to command a few men! ''Your'' unit, ''his'' unit; are you not all nobles of Rhin-Lotharingie, charged to defend her borders using whatever means necessary in this great hour of need!? But you would rather pull the Princess out of her sickbed, just so she can soothe your bruised egos!?		"Yet here you are... squabbling away over who gets to command a few men! ''Your'' unit, ''his'' unit; are you not all nobles of Rhin-Lotharingie, charged to defend her borders using whatever means necessary in this great hour of need!? But you would rather pull the Princess out of her sickbed, just so she can soothe your bruised egos!?

	"''Have you no shame!''"		"''Have you no shame!''"

Aorii at 22:26, 17 September 2016

2016-09-17T22:26:39Z

Aorii at 14:28, 2 September 2016

2016-09-02T14:28:06Z

Show changes

Aorii at 20:42, 1 September 2016

2016-09-01T20:42:56Z

Show changes

Aorii at 14:31, 2 August 2016

2016-08-02T14:31:23Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:31, 2 August 2016
Line 369:		Line 369:
	As their eyes met, Cecylia stared into those turquoise orbs which showed barely a glimmer of their usual clarity. Instead, they were dulled by a tired, melancholic fog; both vision and purpose lost amidst the haze.		As their eyes met, Cecylia stared into those turquoise orbs which showed barely a glimmer of their usual clarity. Instead, they were dulled by a tired, melancholic fog; both vision and purpose lost amidst the haze.

	But before her ~~small~~ lips could open again, Cecylia's instincts warned: ''that's enough already.''		But before her lips could open again, Cecylia's instincts warned: ''that's enough already.''

	It had always been her personal policy not to get involved in a feud between two close relations.		It had always been her personal policy not to get involved in a feud between two close relations.

	Years of fighting between her siblings had taught her a crucial childhood lesson. She was better off staying on the sidelines, observing as the neutral third party. To intervene would not only add her bias as fuel to the conflict, but also place herself in ~~the line of fire~~ for no ~~benefit~~.		Years of fighting between her siblings had taught her a crucial childhood lesson. She was better off staying on the sidelines, observing as the neutral third party. To intervene would not only add her bias as fuel to the conflict, but also place herself in bitter struggle for no avail.

	Cecylia still remembered her ~~older~~ sister's ~~disdain~~ on that day she left for the front lines, never to return.		Cecylia still remembered her elder sister's gaze on that day she left for the front lines, never to return.

	''But is that fair?''		They weren't just angry or disappointed. They were the eyes of betrayal.

			For years, Eliza had been Cecylia's closest. She was like a mother to the younger sister, a nurturer of the sickly dhampir even more so than their busy parents. Yet on that final night, Cecylia's concern for her elder sister made her side against Eliza in heated argument.

			Years of smiles, of hugs, of laughter, all ended on such a painful note, all because of some stupid family row.

			Even to this day, Cecylia remembered those days of bitter tears and regret, when she swore never to directly involve herself again.

			''But... is that fair?''

	The last time two of her closest friends fell out, they had refused to acknowledge one another for years. Cecylia had been forced to choose a side between Pascal and Ariadne, hardly speaking to the other until a certain familiar finally pushed the lord of pricks to mend his ways.		The last time two of her closest friends fell out, they had refused to acknowledge one another for years. Cecylia had been forced to choose a side between Pascal and Ariadne, hardly speaking to the other until a certain familiar finally pushed the lord of pricks to mend his ways.

Aorii at 19:02, 28 July 2016

2016-07-28T19:02:43Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:02, 28 July 2016
Line 3:		Line 3:
	"I never thought it would be this bad, Hakim."		"I never thought it would be this bad, Hakim."

	Standing at the crest of a shallow, grassy knoll, the commander of the ~~Cataliyan~~ Caliphate's western front army looked down the aisles of his field hospital. Rows upon rows of white tents bore the Red Crescent -- the crystal light red of Samaran 'Fluid of Life' that all healers shared in common. Thousands of sick, quarantined troops overflowed even their capacity, overwhelming the amply prepared medical battalions attached to the army.		Standing at the crest of a shallow, grassy knoll, the commander of the Caraliyyah Caliphate (which the Trinitians somehow mumbled into 'Cataliya') western front army looked down the aisles of his field hospital. Rows upon rows of white tents bore the Red Crescent -- the crystal light red of Samaran 'Fluid of Life' that all healers shared in common. Thousands of sick, quarantined troops overflowed even their capacity, overwhelming the amply prepared medical battalions attached to the army.

	Baha ad-Din Salim ibn Ziyad pulled at the hairs beneath his thickly-bearded chin. It was a bad habit he regressed to every time he felt frustrated, but he doubted any general worth his salt could feel more helpless than he did right now.		Baha ad-Din Salim ibn Ziyad pulled at the hairs beneath his thickly-bearded chin. It was a bad habit he regressed to every time he felt frustrated, but he doubted any general worth his salt could feel more helpless than he did right now.
Line 9:		Line 9:
	"Flu, typhus, and now even dysentery? How could this happen? So quickly?" Salim turned about to face his second-in-command.		"Flu, typhus, and now even dysentery? How could this happen? So quickly?" Salim turned about to face his second-in-command.

	"The problems have been present since the start, Your Eminence," Hakim answered, his countenance as blank as tranquil water. "We walk among a land and climate alien to our kinds. Our men grew up on the arid savanna and scorching deserts and tropical coasts, while they now trek beneath the gloom of a northwestern winter and its freezing rains."		"The problems have been present since the start, Your Eminence," Hakim answered, his countenance blank as tranquil water. "We walk among a land and climate alien to our kinds. Our men grew up on the arid savanna and scorching deserts and tropical coasts, while they now trek beneath the gloom of a northwestern winter and its freezing rains."

	"The human body is frail and slow to adapt," he added. "How could they not fall sick?"		"The human body is frail and slow to adapt," he added. "How could they not fall sick?"

	"But why now? Why the sudden surge?" Salim countered. "We entered Rhin-Lotharingie over a month ago. Our soldiers have been falling sick since week one, yet the healers have always managed to keep the illness contained. I even moderated our pace of advance to ~~keep~~ the troops from exhaustion."		"But why now? Why the sudden surge?" Salim countered. "We entered Rhin-Lotharingie over a month ago. Our soldiers have been falling sick since week one, yet the healers have always managed to keep the illness contained. I even moderated our pace of advance to stay the troops from exhaustion."

	"All resources have limitations, Your Eminence," replied the advisor. "The heavy casualties incurred in our last battle drained our healers' ether and expended their supply of Samaran blood. How could they cope with another disease outbreak immediately afterwards?"		"All resources have limitations, Your Eminence," replied the advisor. "The heavy casualties incurred in our last battle drained our healers' ether and expended their supply of Samaran blood. How could they cope with another disease outbreak immediately afterwards?"
Line 21:		Line 21:
	But looks were also deceiving. Hakim... wasn't even human.		But looks were also deceiving. Hakim... wasn't even human.

	A close examination would reveal faded blue hues that seemed to billow across his very skin. Instead of supple human tissue, his 'flesh' was ~~almost~~ an illusion. They were embers condensed into layers to take on a tangible profile, blending in easily amidst humankind.		A close examination would reveal faded blue hues that seemed to billow across his very skin. Instead of supple human tissue, his 'flesh' was an illusion. They were embers condensed into layers to take on a tangible profile, blending in easily amidst humankind.

	Hakim was a jinni -- a race veiled in mystery, a creature of smokeless flames.		Hakim was a jinni -- a race veiled in mystery, a creature of smokeless flames.
Line 53:		Line 53:
	"General!"		"General!"

	The newcomer leaped off his horse and scampered up the grassy knoll. Two dozen wary bodyguards squeezed the handles of their scimitars; they were on the edge of the ~~Cataliyan~~ encampment and well outside the inner wards. But the officer paid them no mind as he rushed up and took a deep bow.		The newcomer leaped off his horse and scampered up the grassy knoll. Two dozen wary bodyguards squeezed the handles of their scimitars; they were on the edge of the Caraliyyah encampment and well outside the inner wards. But the officer paid them no mind as he rushed up and took a deep bow.

	"Major Hamid," Salim addressed the youthful commander of the 86th Light Cavalry Battalion. "What brings you in such haste?"		"Major Hamid," Salim addressed the youthful commander of the 86th Light Cavalry Battalion. "What brings you in such haste?"
Line 115:		Line 115:
	"Sir, I..."		"Sir, I..."

	"Answer me, how do you know? How could you be sure of his insincerity?"		"Answer me, how do you know? How could you be sure of his insincerity?

	"''How do you know?''"		"''How do you know?''"
Line 211:		Line 211:
	The playtime was but a pretense, as she kept a keen eye and two ears on the Cataliyans' conversation at all times. Both sensory feedback relayed straight to her master -- prone and hidden among fallen leaves in a dense patch of trees nearly four kilopaces away.		The playtime was but a pretense, as she kept a keen eye and two ears on the Cataliyans' conversation at all times. Both sensory feedback relayed straight to her master -- prone and hidden among fallen leaves in a dense patch of trees nearly four kilopaces away.

	''So a new challenger appears,'' Cecylia Renata von Falkenhausen mused to herself as she stroked the largest body of her matryoshka cat.		''So a new challenger appears,'' Cecylia Renata von Falkenhausen mused to herself as she stroked the largest body of her matryoshka cat. ''...And naval reinforcements are on their way.''

	Three days of lying on the cold, hard ground had all been worth it. Her ceaseless observation had gained dividends on its own, but that was nothing compared to the treasure trove of insider information that she overheard now.		Three days of lying on the cold, hard ground had all been worth it. Her ceaseless observation had gained dividends on its own, but that was nothing compared to the treasure trove of insider information that she overheard now.
Line 273:		Line 273:
	"Cecylia!"		"Cecylia!"

	Her eyes soon fell upon the short and cute Samaran girl who walked up with a slight limp, arm waving in ~~good~~ cheer.		Her eyes soon fell upon the short and cute Samaran girl who walked up with a slight limp, arm waving in joyful, if tired cheer.

	"Is there a problem with her identification, Captain?" Kaede added in mild confusion as she came closer.		"Is there a problem with her identification, Captain?" Kaede added in mild confusion as she came closer.
Line 299:		Line 299:
	"By the way, what happened to your leg?" the dhampir then added.		"By the way, what happened to your leg?" the dhampir then added.

	With a ~~soft~~ sigh, Kaede ~~merely replied~~:		With a conflicted sigh, Kaede's expression clouded:

	"The Princess happened."		"The Princess happened."
Line 311:		Line 311:
	"...And that concludes my report," Cecylia finished as she faced the assembled commanders of the allied force, doing her best to ignore a dozen repellent stares.		"...And that concludes my report," Cecylia finished as she faced the assembled commanders of the allied force, doing her best to ignore a dozen repellent stares.

	"''Eight'' new battalions; that's over four thousand reinforcements..."		"Eight new battalions; that's over four thousand reinforcements..."

	"~~They~~'~~ll be advancing again in two, maybe three days," surmised~~ the ~~veteran Duke of Helveteu~~. ~~His eyes moved back to the map table, marking the river fords before the Avorican Capital~~.		"Another ''twelve thousand'' on the way by sea as well..."

	"~~With~~ their air cavalry this time; not surprising they're being transferred to this front, after the Knights Phantom gave their aerogyros a thrashing."		"They'll be advancing again in a day or two," surmised the veteran Duke of Helveteu. His eyes moved back to the map table, marking the river fords before the Avorican Capital.

			"I agree," nodded Major Hans, the Weichsel intelligence officer. "They'll force a river crossing and lay siege to Roazhon. Once those reinforcements arrive, they'll begin assaulting the city."

			"Supported by their air cavalry this time; not surprising they're being transferred to this front, after the Knights Phantom gave their aerogyros a thrashing."

	"Wasteland drakes..."		"Wasteland drakes..."
Line 350:		Line 354:

	"Then you know why I want you to talk to her; you are one of her closest friends," Pascal uttered as he looked up to the late afternoon sun. "Her Highness has not emerged from her cabin since two nights ago, and the Lotharins are growing restless."		"Then you know why I want you to talk to her; you are one of her closest friends," Pascal uttered as he looked up to the late afternoon sun. "Her Highness has not emerged from her cabin since two nights ago, and the Lotharins are growing restless."

			In other words -- ''time was running out.''

			If the Caliphate forces attacked tomorrow, and Sylviane could not lead because she was still despondent in bed... she would lose all legitimacy as a crown heir before the eyes of her people.

	"She's depressed after fighting with you," Cecylia gave a sympathetic frown. "Sylv always gets gloomy after pushing away someone she cares about -- and she relies on you a great deal."		"She's depressed after fighting with you," Cecylia gave a sympathetic frown. "Sylv always gets gloomy after pushing away someone she cares about -- and she relies on you a great deal."
Line 383:		Line 391:
	"But what am I supposed to do when Her Highness..."		"But what am I supposed to do when Her Highness..."

	"Stop calling her that," Cecylia berated ~~before taking a deep breath~~. "You're opening up extra distance for no good reason."		"Stop calling her that," Cecylia berated. "You're opening up extra distance for no good reason."

	"She is the one who insisted upon the formality, not me."		"She is the one who insisted upon the formality, not me."
Line 395:		Line 403:
	"Aren't you?" the dhampir's eyes darkened as she trampled right over his weakening retort. "I'm guessing you approached me because you haven't spoken to her at all since the fight -- am I right?"		"Aren't you?" the dhampir's eyes darkened as she trampled right over his weakening retort. "I'm guessing you approached me because you haven't spoken to her at all since the fight -- am I right?"

	"I have been busy ~~coordinating~~..." ~~he stressed.~~		"I have been busy organizing..."

	"Yes, bury yourself in work and call it 'duty' as an excuse," Cecylia locked her blood-red gaze onto him like an unrelenting snare, stopping even his attempts to look away.		"Yes, bury yourself in work and call it 'duty' as an excuse," Cecylia locked her blood-red gaze onto him like an unrelenting snare, stopping even his attempts to look away.
Line 403:		Line 411:
	As gloom began to engulf Pascal, Cecylia realized that her pent-up frustrations were channeling ''too'' effectively. She closed her eyes for a moment to calm herself, feeling the ether disperse as intensity faded from her pupils.		As gloom began to engulf Pascal, Cecylia realized that her pent-up frustrations were channeling ''too'' effectively. She closed her eyes for a moment to calm herself, feeling the ether disperse as intensity faded from her pupils.

	A dhampir's gaze had the ability to drain concentration and resolve through ~~point-blank~~ eye contact. It wasn't a trait that Cecylia used on her friends often -- the last occurrence was when she had fun weakening Kaede for a tease back at the academy. But as many innate abilities go, it was hard to hold back once emotions flared.		A dhampir's gaze had the ability to drain concentration and resolve through close eye contact. It wasn't a trait that Cecylia used on her friends often -- the last occurrence was when she had fun weakening Kaede for a tease back at the academy. But as many innate abilities go, it was hard to hold back once emotions flared.

	It was yet another reason why she preferred to stay out of any personal drama.		It was yet another reason why she preferred to stay out of any personal drama.

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:26, 17 September 2016
Line 337:		Line 337:
	"What gives ''you'' the right to snatch our troops as you see fit?" Albert objected, emboldened by the others' support. "You're just an outsider. A Wick... Weichsel ''Major'' at that!"		"What gives ''you'' the right to snatch our troops as you see fit?" Albert objected, emboldened by the others' support. "You're just an outsider. A Wick... Weichsel ''Major'' at that!"

	The door to the command cabin opened and closed, but Pascal was too busy to see ~~whom~~ it was.		The door to the command cabin opened and closed, but Pascal was too busy to see who it was.

	"I am only carrying out reorganization orders from Princess Sylviane," he pulled out the stack of papers from his extradimensional pocket and shook it in his hands. His eyes then glared between several other nobles who spoke out. "I informed each of you about this two days ago. You agreed then!"		"I am only carrying out reorganization orders from Princess Sylviane," he pulled out the stack of papers from his extradimensional pocket and shook it in his hands. His eyes then glared between several other nobles who spoke out. "I informed each of you about this two days ago. You agreed then!"

	"Only because you ~~browbeated~~ them into it with those so-called 'orders' from Her Highness!" Albert spat out. "And you certainly didn't consult me!"		"Only because you browbeat them into it with those so-called 'orders' from Her Highness!" Albert spat out. "And you certainly didn't consult me!"

	"They were not ''your'' troops in the first place!" Pascal countered.		"They were not ''your'' troops in the first place!" Pascal countered, his temper flaring.

	"Milord, please," Major Hans tried to intercede of Pascal's behalf. "After our heavy losses from the last battle, it is only natural that we disband the units that suffered the worst casualties and use their manpower to replenish other formations..."		"Milord, please," Major Hans tried to intercede on Pascal's behalf. "After our heavy losses from the last battle, it is only natural that we disband the units that suffered the worst casualties and use their manpower to replenish other formations..."

	"Shut up, you commoner," the Count sent him another glare. "I don't care how it is in Weichsel, but you have no right to speak here!"		"Shut up, you commoner," the Count sent him another glare. "I don't care how it is in Weichsel, but you have no right to speak here!"
Line 367:		Line 367:
	With his tone slowly rising, the Colonel's explanation soon escalated into a shout as he stared down each and every one of the disgruntled Lotharins.		With his tone slowly rising, the Colonel's explanation soon escalated into a shout as he stared down each and every one of the disgruntled Lotharins.

	"Yet here you are... babbling away over who gets to command a few men! ''Your'' unit, ''his'' unit; are you not all nobles of Rhin-Lotharingie, charged to defend her borders using whatever means necessary in this great hour of need!? But you would rather pull the Princess out of her sickbed, just so she can ~~sooth~~ your bruised egos!?		"Yet here you are... babbling away over who gets to command a few men! ''Your'' unit, ''his'' unit; are you not all nobles of Rhin-Lotharingie, charged to defend her borders using whatever means necessary in this great hour of need!? But you would rather pull the Princess out of her sickbed, just so she can soothe your bruised egos!?

	"''Have you no shame!''"		"''Have you no shame!''"
Line 375:		Line 375:
	"That does not give a mere ''Major'' the right to fake orders to our army!"		"That does not give a mere ''Major'' the right to fake orders to our army!"

	"''Mere Major''?" Colonel von Mackensen challenged. "Tell me, ''Count'', how many battle plans have you organized? How many engagements have you commanded?" He gave Albert no more than a second to respond before plowing on. "By the standards of Weichsel, you wouldn't even be a ''Major''! Even by Rhin-Lotharingie ranking, Landgrave von Moltewitz is a ''Duke''. Between his credentials and his position as Crown Prince Consort, he has every right to command your obedience as the representative of Her Highness!"		"''Mere Major''?" Colonel von Mackensen challenged. "Tell me, ''Count'', how many battle plans have you organized? How many engagements have you commanded?" He gave Albert no more than a second to respond before plowing on. "By the standards of Weichsel, you wouldn't even be a ''Major''! Even by Rhin-Lotharingie ranking, Landgrave von Moltewitz is a ''Duke''. Between his credentials and his position as the future Crown Prince Consort, he has every right to command your obedience as the representative of Her Highness!"

	"Furthermore, he has faked no orders," a new, feminine voice came as the cabin door closed again. This time, it was Sylviane's companion, Lady Mari, who stood by the entrance. A hard breathing Cecylia stayed just behind her, clearly having ran to fetch the lady's maid.		"Furthermore, he has faked no orders," a new, feminine voice came as the cabin door closed again. This time, it was Sylviane's companion, Lady Mari, who stood by the entrance. A hard breathing Cecylia stayed just behind her, clearly having ran to fetch the lady's maid.
Line 404:		Line 404:

	"My apologies. The fault is mine for not grasping Rhin-Lotharingie's military customs. In return, I would like to offer you one of the most honored locations of the defense plan," Pascal pointed to an upriver marker on the map table. "I personally oversaw its construction. When the infidels come, I have no doubt that its waves will break the Caliphate assault."		"My apologies. The fault is mine for not grasping Rhin-Lotharingie's military customs. In return, I would like to offer you one of the most honored locations of the defense plan," Pascal pointed to an upriver marker on the map table. "I personally oversaw its construction. When the infidels come, I have no doubt that its waves will break the Caliphate assault."

	~~''...And then you can take credit for it,'' he thought.~~

	The proposal actually killed two birds with one stone. Pascal would never trust a backroom stabber like Albert on the riverfront defense line. The new position might be a prestigious one, but it was also a location least likely to see combat action.		The proposal actually killed two birds with one stone. Pascal would never trust a backroom stabber like Albert on the riverfront defense line. The new position might be a prestigious one, but it was also a location least likely to see combat action.
Line 413:		Line 411:


	The assembled leaders returned to their flurry of tactical planning, mostly feudal lords arguing over whose battalions should be positioned where along the riverfront fortifications. Meanwhile, Pascal exchanged a nod with Colonel von Mackensen, before extracting himself from the crowd and pulling Cecylia outside.		The assembled leaders soon returned to their flurry of tactical planning, mostly feudal lords arguing over whose battalions should be positioned where along the riverfront fortifications. Meanwhile, Pascal exchanged a nod with Colonel von Mackensen, before extracting himself from the crowd and pulling Cecylia outside.

	Leaning back against the command cabin, Cecylia began as soon as Pascal raised wards against eavesdropping:		Leaning back against the command cabin, Cecylia began as soon as Pascal raised wards against eavesdropping:

	"I met Kaede~~...~~ on my way in. She already told me what happened..."		"I met Kaede on my way in. She already told me what happened..."

	~~Her breath was still heavy from the dash earlier. The girl never had much physical stamina.~~

	"Then you know why I want you to talk to her; you are one of her closest friends," Pascal uttered as he looked up to the late afternoon sun. "Her Highness has not emerged from her cabin since two nights ago, and as you heard in there, the Lotharins are growing restless."		"Then you know why I want you to talk to her; you are one of her closest friends," Pascal uttered as he looked up to the late afternoon sun. "Her Highness has not emerged from her cabin since two nights ago, and as you heard in there, the Lotharins are growing restless."
Line 445:		Line 441:
	Cecylia still remembered her elder sister's gaze on that day she left for the war, never to return.		Cecylia still remembered her elder sister's gaze on that day she left for the war, never to return.

	They weren't just angry or disappointed~~. They were the eyes~~ of betrayal.		They weren't just angry or disappointed; they spoke of betrayal.

	For years, Eliza had been Cecylia's closest. She was like a mother to the younger sister, a nurturer of the sickly dhampir even more so than their busy parents. Yet on that fateful night, Cecylia's concern for her elder sister made her side against Eliza in a heated argument, until frustration built up and unleashed words she had never meant.		For years, Eliza had been Cecylia's closest. She was like a mother to the younger sister, a nurturer of the sickly dhampir even more so than their busy parents. Yet on that fateful night, Cecylia's concern for her elder sister made her side against Eliza in a heated argument, until frustration built up and unleashed words she had never meant.

	~~Years of smiles, of hugs, of laughter, all ended on such a painful note, all because of some stupid family row over Eliza's choice to undertake a dangerous mission behind enemy lines.~~

	Even to this day, Cecylia remembered those nights of bitter tears and regret, when she swore never to directly involve herself again.		Even to this day, Cecylia remembered those nights of bitter tears and regret, when she swore never to directly involve herself again.
Line 501:		Line 495:
	"Then why aren't you taking this seriously?"		"Then why aren't you taking this seriously?"

	"I ''am'' taking this seriously!" Pascal snapped straight, glaring. ~~Then~~, ~~leaning~~ his head back against the wall: "I just do not know what I should be doing... how should I see her when I am part of the cause for this entire episode?"		"I ''am'' taking this seriously!" Pascal snapped straight, glaring. Tired of arguing with everyone, he leaned his head back against the wall, his eyes full of exhaustion: "I just do not know what I should be doing... how should I see her when I am part of the cause for this entire episode?"

	''He can command entire armies, but he doesn't know how to smooth things out with his own fiancée,'' Cecylia sighed. ''Typical.''		''He can command entire armies, but he doesn't know how to smooth things out with his own fiancée,'' Cecylia sighed. ''Typical.''